Rabbi Kook

There are people who hold an important title for which they are naturally fit. In such a case, it is fitting to refer to the person by his title without even needing to mention his name. That is because his personal status is totally overshadowed by his position by means of his capabilities fitting his position exactly.

[We continue with the story of the person who tried to upset Hillel and disturbed him while he was bathing before Shabbat.] Hillel put on a cloak, went out to him, and said: “My son, what is that you desire?” He said: “I have a question to ask.” Hillel said to him: “Ask, my son, ask.” “Why is it that the heads of Babylonians are round?” Hillel responded: “My son, you have asked a great question. It is because they lack expert midwives [and babies with round heads come out more easily].”

Our Rabbis learned: One should always be humble like Hillel and not confrontational like Shammai. There was a case of two people who made a bet, saying: “Whoever will go and anger Hillel will get 400 zuz.” One said: “I will go and anger him.” That day was Friday, and Hillel was washing his head. He went and passed by Hillel’s house. He said: “Who here is Hillel? Who here is Hillel?” Hillel got dressed and came out to him.

The Rabbis learned: One should always be humble like Hillel and not a kapdan (exacting and impatient) like Shammai.

When the Household of the Chashmonaim defeated [the Greeks], they checked and found only one flask with a seal of the Kohen Gadol, and there was only enough to light for one day. A miracle occurred with it, and they lit from it for seven days.

Is it so [that Hashem should be approached with a feeling of simcha]? Doesn’t Rav Gidal say in the name of Rav: “Any talmid chacham who sits before his master and his lips are not dripping with a bitterness [of fear] will be burnt, as the pasuk (Shir Hashirim 5:13) says: “His lips are [like] shoshanim (roses), dripping with “passing” mor (a perfume). Do not read it as mor but as mar (bitter). Do not read it as shoshanim but as sheshonim (who are studying Torah)”?

“I praised the happiness” (Kohelet 8:15) refers to simcha (happiness) related to mitzva, and “What is happiness there for?” (ibid. 2:2) refers to simcha that is not related to mitzva.